za'atar roast potatoes

 

 

I have been intending to cook with za'atar for sometime now, but wasn't sure where to start.  This is a really simple but effective recipe with loads of flavour. This can be served with your usual Sunday roast to spice it up, or with a stew or casserole. I served it recently with my tomato and coconut lentil dhal curry which worked really well. 

Za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice mixture.  Although there are many variations it will usually contain sumac (a citrussy red berry), sesame seeds and herbs.  The mix I use in this recipe contains sesame seeds, sumac, thyme, cumin, coriander, fennel and salt.

serves 2-3 as a side dish
preparation time:  5 minutes
cooking time:  30-45 minutes


ingredients:

500g potatoes
2 tbs za'atar
3-4 whole garlic cloves peeled
3 tbs oil

• preheat oven to 200C

• clean and chop potatoes into wedges

• add oil, potato wedges and garlic cloves to a roasting tin and stir until well coated

 

• add to preheated oven.

• about half way through (about 15-20 minutes) remove the potatoes from the oven and add the za'atar to the potatoes.  Mix thoroughly and continue cooking.

 

• the potatoes are done when cooked through and nice and crispy on the outside.

 

 

 

 

Polish honey and spice gingerbread (piernik)

 

Here is my version of the traditional Polish piernik - a gingerbread flavoured with honey and spices- perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This gingerbread lasts for at least a week and also seems to improve in flavour over time when the spices have had chance to mix and mingle. This would also makes a great food gift during this festive season. I hope you enjoy!

 

 

ingredients:

1 cup honey

1 cup black coffee

8 oz butter

1 cup brown sugar

3 eggs

3 tsp baking powder

4 cups plain (all purpose) flour

1 lemon zested

1 tsp all spice (pimento)

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cinnamon

 

 

preparation time: 20 minutes

cooking time: 30-40 minutes 

• preheat oven to 190C and grease/line a baking pan. I used a 9x12 pan, but you can also make this in a loaf tin.

• add honey, coffee, sugar, butter and spices to a saucepan and mix over a gentle heat until the sugar has dissolved and the butter melted. Leave to cool for a while you prepare the other ingredients.

 

• break eggs into a bowl and add the lemon zest and whisk for a few minutes until bubbly

• slowly pour in the melted butter, sugar and honey mixture onto the whisked eggs and keep beating for a few minutes until fully incorporated. Be careful not to add the melted mixture too quickly as this may curdle the eggs

 

 

• add sifted flour and baking powder to the wet mixture and stir well to incorporate - pour into greased baking tin

• bake for 30-40 minutes - it is ready when a skewer/tooth pick comes out clean.

• leave to cool completely before cutting into squares

 

• eat and share with your nearest and dearest :)